Thursday, February 26, 2015

Time for a little birthday wish for one of my co-workers!! I sure hope she likes it! Thank you for joining me for another Technique Junkie Thursday!

This is the first time I've tried this technique, called Goosed Gelatos. You'll find the directions on the TJ's Artistic Effects CD. It is a GREAT CD! I played with it for a whole day and have all kinds of yummy background pieces to turn into projects to share with you! I consider this CD a more bang for your buck CD. It demonstrates the use of so many things we already own, just one more way (or two, or three, or four more ways.....) You'll find new ways to use your distress stains, goose bumps, gesso, sprays, gelatos and more!

But, enough about that. Let's talk about my card

As I mentioned, the technique I'm show casing today is called Goosed Gelatos. I LOVE THIS
TECHNIQUE!! Sorry for shouting, but WOW! what colorful and
interesting backgrounds it produces! If you are unfamiliar with gelatos, they are a highly pigmented color stick---I tend to think of them as being like lipstick in texture and vibrancy. They come in a variety of colors. If you are anything like me, you'll need them all! This is the pack I have:

I adore it and it gives me soooo many choices!! For this project, I
used Lavendar, Cotton Candy, Bubble Gum, Pistachio and Grape. To learn all of the details of this fun technique, you can purchase the Artistic Effects CD here.

After my amazing background dried, I finished it off with some cardstock
candles and a few fun Technique Junkie Stamps. You'll find A Little
Birthday Wish (#SD398) and Make A Tree Set (#SS014) in the Technique Junkie
Stamp store!

That's all for me today! Go ahead and get inky....I'd love to see what you're working on....
Don't forget to be awesome! TTFN, Jane

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

I've used the floral image from the Parisian Postcard set for a shabby chic sympathy card. Praise the Lord, I've had little reason to create many sympathy cards, but decided this should be one due to the softness of the image and the shabby/aged look to the focal piece.

I started with a portion of water color paper. After stamping and water coloring the image, I used the application of misted water, sponged ink and a bit of light sanding with my finger tips to age and distress the piece. I continued the look with additional sponging on the remaining card, some twine and a wooden heart embellishment. Each flower has a light dusting of glitter, as well.

My sentiment comes from the Keep In Touch, Too set. There are so many great sentiments in this set, it really was hard to choose which to use. I sure could have gone in many directions.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Happy Monday and, thank you, once again for joining me for my Monday I Brake For Stamps share! It's a balmy -15 here in Wisconsin. Thankfully, the sun is shining, but there's not much more I can positively say.....about the weather, that is!

I've got all kinds of good stuff to say about my project and who it is for!

Now, I know "boy cards" can be a struggle. I struggle, I know others do
too. But I really wanted to use this weight lifter image from I Brake For Stamp's Half Sheet 139A. My sweet nephew had himself a birthday and this was about as close to the WWE as I could get. Yes, I realize weightlifting is not the same as wrestling....just imagine it's his opponent lifted high rather than barbells! LOL!

I've always been drawn to this image, but it is rather small. So......"boy" card and small image? I admit to being a bit stumped. Stumped = loss of mojo.....so, when all else fails, I reach for my sketch binder. I've collected sketches from a variety of sources over the years. They are a good stepping off point when you are stumped!

Although I wanted my card to bear a sentiment, I didn't want it to be a focal point, but rather woven into the overall design. For this reason, I created my own "designer" paper by repeatedly stamping the "Enjoy the good life" sentiment from I Brake For Stamp's full sheet, Beach Theme on the orange cardstock. Instead of using a watermark ink (like versamark) for a more subtle
look, I went with ink the same color as the cardstock for a bolder
look. Afterward, I added a little sponging to the edges for a completed
look.

To add to the masculine feel of the card, I
added a designer paper and coordinating paper in tones of blue--not
necessarily colors I'm drawn too, but I think all together, it works.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Happy Monday! I'm so glad you stopped by for my I Brake For Stamps Monday share! I spent a great deal of time playing with my bisters yesterday! And, yes, my garbage can does bear some signs of my experimentations! This is definitely a color medium that requires some learning and most definitely, following! You absolutely have to go with the flow when using bisters and let the project evolve as it will.

I've used bister, in the past, with watercolor paper. This project uses Ranger specialty paper. It is a matt coated cardstock and definitely provides a different finished product. Paper matters, Ladies and Gents!

After applying bisters in green, red, blue and yellow, I spritzed with water, rolled the colors around, dabbed and dried. I love the marbled look you can achieve. Images were stamped using Stazon and then colored using distress markers.

You can see the blue bisters more clearly in the second project. For this, starting at the bottom of the white cardstock, I layered up with green, yellow, red and blue.

All of my stamp images come from one or the other of Floral Half Sheet 148A and Floral Half Sheet 148B from I Brake For Stamps. These are some beautiful and whimsical images! Be sure to pick up your bisters, too while you are there! I would also recommend some of the Stampinback Paper. Let Ms. Della know I sent you AND, save a little with my coupon code SAVE10JANE!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

It's a Junkie kind of a day....thanks for stopping in to check on my Technique of the Week ala Technique Junkies!

I have to admit, I've had a sensational week so far! I've had an opportunity to sub in an EBD classroom in our local school district and it has been a fast paced, often tiring, but heart warming experience. I don't particularly have specific experience working with emotionally and behaviorally disordered children in a classroom environment. My experience lies in working inpatient psych in an acute care hospital--our patients, in that time, were viewed as broken. I don't particularly have specific training in education either, but I've trained for many years as a mom and dabbled in a few early childhood work situations. I do, however, find that I have a knack for the classroom (if I do say so myself!) and, I've decided a few things:

Kids are amazing little studies in human nature. In an environment that teaches respect and acceptance by doing AND speaking it, excellent human beings can be grown. Inclusion is understanding that we are not all the same and that's okay. Compassion is understanding and respecting the limits of another while treating them just like any other friend. Seeing the value in every single person is powerful. Writing anyone off just will not do.

Like the butterflies in my project....I'm on the verge of something.......

But, enough about me :) I'm pulling a project out of the vault for this week as my creative time has been cut short. I created this colorful piece for the Technique Junkie Sensational Stencil CD. The Stencil and Doodle technique is just one of the 40 techniques available on this CD (it may be my favorite...) and if you don't yet own it, you can find it here!

Also available from the Technique Junkie stamp line are the Simple Sentiments, Style 2 I used to finish my card! Feel free to check them out here....and, be sure to look around at all the other goodies while you are there!

Monday, February 9, 2015

Today, I have an Asian inspired card that uses a beautiful floral image from the I Brake For Stamps Asian Full Sheet! I think the images on this sheet are just beautiful. They remind me of my precious niece, Lily! Beautiful and spunky!

I really have no flair for plants or identifying the beautiful flowers seen here. I suppose they are some type of asian plant, but could just as easily be growing in my backyard. I appreciate beauty whether I know the details or not!

I
added the flowers to a background technique called Aged Text Boards from the Technique Junkie Newsletter. You will find the technique, Aged Text Boards, in the April/May 2014 edition of the newsletter. It's a fun technique and creates an interesting focal image piece. After coloring all of the
florals with copic markers, I added a few sequins for some shimmer!

It's an easy card to make....why not give it a go? If you stop over to pick up some supplies, don't forget to tell Ms. Della that I sent ya! You can save with my coupon code, SAVE10JANE.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Hello, sweet friends! Welcome to theSweet 'n Sassy Stamps February 2015 Release Day Blog Hop! Baby…it's cold out there, but our February release is sure to warm your heart so grab your favorite hot beverage and get ready to be inspired by the projects created for you by the Sweet N Sassy Design Divas!

I have two cards featuring our newest stamp designer and her endearing character, Winnie!

I feel like this EVERY. DAY. It's so cold here in Wisconsin, my cold is cold! LOL! My first card features the Winter With Winnie set. In addition to using some fun papers, I also had a therapeutic cutting session while I pieced together Winnie's clothing. I love to paper piece or fussy cut, as some say. It is extremely relaxing!

I cut my snow drifts using the Hillside Edges Die set. To make them even more authentic, I added some sparkle and white flocking. This is really the ONLY way I like my snow lately!

After a time outside....

It's always nice to warm up with a yummy hot beverage! Winnie's Warm Wishes is also an adorable set. I was anxious to stamp with it wanting to fit that fun hat right on her head! I finished off the hat with some glitter glue and popped in up on some dimensional tape--it's a nice dimensional accent for sweet Winnie!

Release Giveaway!
As part of our release day fun, one random commenter from one of the DT blogs will be selected to win a $10 Gift Code for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store. You have until Thursday, February 12th at midnight EST to leave your comments. The winner will be posted on the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog on Friday, February 13th!

Don't forget about our Release Day Challenge! Since the cold winter month of February often brings with it a case of the sniffles, create a warm get well card and join our "Warm Get Well Wishes Challenge!" Here are a few guidelines to remember as you play along:

- You don't have to use a Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps image to enter (although we sure love when you do!)
- Please create a NEW card (no back linking)
- We ask that you enter your card in no more than 3 challenges
- You'll have until Thursday, February 12th at midnight EST to enter
- We'll draw 1 winner from this week's challenge to receive a $10 credit to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Store! If there are 25 participants, (not including the DT), we'll draw 2 winners!
- Please use code SNSFEB2015RC when uploading to Splitcoaststampers or other galleries

To enter simply share a link to your creation below!

Thanks for joining us today! Be sure to join us again on Friday, February 13th to see if you've won!

Now it's time to see what the rest of the DT has created! You'll find the links in the Linky Tool below...HAPPY HOPPING!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

"The funny thing is she wasn't even planning any of this. It all just sort of happened, and *boy howdy* was she glad it did."

It's a Technique Junkie kinda of Thursday!!! Thanks for stopping by to see my techniquey offering of the day!

I chose a background technique to highlight this most fantastic sentiment from Technique Junkie Stamps (Boy Howdy #SD432). It couldn't be a better descriptor of my life lately.......

Stuff happens to all of us. I know. In that first moment, bad things can seem worse as we struggle to process and deal with fear and uncertainty. Add in some feelings about ourselves, our self doubt, our......fill in the blank.......and WOW! It can all be so overwhelming, sad, crippling......OR, we can train ourselves to wait. To be silent. To be led. I found myself in such a place, recently, and am happy to report that I've been preparing (or being prepared) to wait and be led for quite some time.

And, the funny thing is....I wasn't even planning any of it, but it sorta happened and I am so glad it did! I am on a new road in so many areas of my life...it's very exciting!

One such is my increased involvement with Technique Junkies! Technique Junkie Newsletter and Stamps has been a huge part of my life for a long time. I'm proud to be part of this growing company and delighted with the addition of this fantastic stamp line! I can barely wait to see where we will go together!

For my background, I used the Peace Background stamp and the technique called Patchwork Distress. It's the online bonus technique for the June/July 2014 edition of the newsletter. If you are not yet a Junkie, do not despair, there is still a way.....there's always a way!

I'm a big fan of details and always get a kick out of making my own to tie a project completely together. Using several inks, I stamped portions of the background stamp images and trimmed them. I added a layer of crystal lacquer for some dimension. When dried, I had three fun little coordinating buttons to add to my project!

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Howwwwdeee! Welcome to my Sweet 'N Sassy Tuesday! Today, I'm sharing a fun little set that is part of this month's Sweet Perks! It's called Get Well Critters and I have had some fun playing around with it!

I never seem to have certain cards on hand. Certainly "get well" cards come in handy and are a great encouragement to those who need it the most! I'm grateful for the versatility of this set and the little "push" it has given me to build up my stock pile of cards to encourage! Especially at this time of the year!

Here is the full set along with the matching dies.....

I took one look at that jar and fly and just knew I had to use my shrinky dink plastic! How cute are my little mini flies/shaker jar? I added a few sequins, too, for some extra shaker shimmer:

I got my first set of shrinky dinks when I was a very young child---a few eons ago! I still love to watch them shrink. It's so cooool! I stamped the fly first and then used alcohol markers to add the color. You could use a variety of coloring tools, but I like the vibrant color that the alcohol markers provide. After trimming them, I placed them, one at a time, into a tin box and cooked each with my heat tool......yes, I have no patience!

For more information about this set, the Sweet Perk's Club and the upcoming release from Sweet N Sassy stamps, stay tuned here and/or visit the Sweet N Sassy blog!

Monday, February 2, 2015

Happy Monday, and thank you for stopping by for a fresh start of the week and my I Brake For Stamps Monday project!

Today, I'm bringing you a colorful and texture full project I created using those fabulous Bisters! If you are new to bisters, the IBFS store has a great video featuring their use. I find that I am a complete sucker for any and all forms of color! In fact, I stamp because I adore color. So, I am always fascinated and on board with any and all types of coloring medium!

I
started by masking off the edges of a piece of watercolor paper with
low tack tape. Afterwards, I applied a sprinkling of Red, Yellow and
Natural bisters. To activate the bisters, I spritzed with a generous
amount of water. I used a considerable amount of water because I wanted a
blended, watercolored effect. You can control the outcome of your
bister art by controlling the application and amount of water you use.
It's fun to play around to see what you can make happen!

I
moved the saturated color around a bit by rolling my paper and using a
heat gun. Again, the outcome is influenced by all of these events. I used my finger to move some color around. And, at
one point, I removed some of the color with a paper towel and, I didn't
like it! So, I just added more water and rolled the paper around a bit
more.

When the piece was completely dry, I stamped the beautiful silhouette garden image from Stamp Half Sheet 138B.
Because I wanted to maintain the clean paper frame, I only removed the
low tack tape after stamping the image. Next, I mounted the art piece
on a portion of black cardstock and added a random, sloppy stitch around
the border. I think I may just be figuring out that little mini Janome machine! It's a handy little thing and a nice way to add
texture to a project. Thanks to one of my readers (yay, Nance!) I may have figured out my breaking thread issue.....

To complete my card, I added a
punched shape with the sentiment, also from the Half Sheet 138B. It
reads: "Friends overlook your broken fence and admire your garden." Isn't that the truth? I've been reflecting a bit on my best gal pal from many many moons ago since she recently became older than me! We became friends in 1978 (gasp!) It seems so long ago doesn't it? But, I remember that day in 4th grade when Ms. Helf announced we would have a new student. I was excited to learn that she lived just around the block from me. Thirty seven years later, we remain friends and I am ever certain that she isn't the least bit distracted by my broken fence.......love ya, girl...(you know who you are!)